A Columbus East gymnastics team that has been hit hard by injuries looks to be hitting its stride as the sectional quickly approaches.
The Olympians, despite competing without three key gymnasts and with two other top gymnasts doing limited events, put up their best score of the season Monday night. They closed the regular season with a 100.5 to 99.05 victory against Owen Valley.
“I’m super proud of them,” East co-coach Katie Menefee said. “They’ve been stepping up and putting in the work and doing what they’ve been asked to do.”
Returning state qualifier Taylen Lane has missed the entire season with a concussion. She has been cleared to compete, but didn’t have enough practices in, so she will have to wait until Friday’s East Sectional.
Makyna Mullins recently underwent surgery and is out for the season, and Shelby Kendrick was injured in warmups Monday. Elise LaSell sprained an ankle doing a vault in a mock meet on Wednesday, the day the Owen Valley meet was postponed, and did only the bars on Monday. ReMount is coming back from a broken foot and did only the bars and beam.
“I think it went really well tonight,” East co-coach Melissa Dishinger said. “We obviously have a lot of injuries, so for who we have competing, to pull out the 100.5 is great. We’re really proud of them.”
Sophomore Cami Warren took advantage of the absences of the other girls to pick up her first all-around win of her high school career. She finished second on the beam (8.7) and floor (8.65), tied for second on the vault (8.6) and tied for third on the bars (7.95) on her way to a 33.9 all-around score.
“This is really exciting for me,” Warren said. “I’m really glad I got a chance to step up with all the injuries that we have. It was a lot of pressure, but I’m glad I got the opportunity to do what I needed to do. I’m happy with my performance.”
East’s Winter Shaver finished fourth in the all-around with a 32.65. She also placed fourth on the beam (8.55).
Mount (8.5) and LaSell (8.15) finished first and second on the bars.
“It’s really nice with all the struggles we’ve had this season,” Warren said. “I’m really happy that we got to come together and have our best team score of the season. We’re really happy to have this score and this vibe with each other heading into the sectional.”
